Japanese Literary Awards

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Jun Aoyama

あおやま じゅん

Aoyama Jun

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1967-02-23 （Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Kawasaki (elementary school period) → Yokohama (from junior high onward) → Ōtsuchi, Iwate (assignment/fieldwork)

Career

Occupations
marine life scientist, essayist, professor
Active Years
1990-
Affiliations
Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo (formerly Institute of Oceanography), International Coastal Ocean Research Center, University of Tokyo
Influenced By
Katsumi Tsukamoto

Education

Tokai University, School of Marine Science
School of Marine Science / Department of Fisheries Science
Degree: Bachelor of Fisheries
Period: 1985-1989
Year of Graduation: 1989
Country: Japan
Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo
Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences
Degree: 博士（農学） / PhD (Agriculture)
Period: 1994-1998
Year of Graduation: 1998
Country: Japan
Completed doctoral program (1998)

Awards

Japanese Agricultural Progress Award
2004
Work: Development of phylogenetic analysis and species assessment methods for Anguillid fishes using DNA markers
Organization: The Japanese Society of Agricultural Science
Result: 受賞 / Winner
Kodansha Essay Award
2007
Work: Africa Nyorori Trip (travel essays)
Organization: Kodansha
Result: 受賞 / Winner
Sakennomibookstore Staff Award
2011
Work: Africa Nyorori Trip (Kodansha Bunko edition)
Organization: Sakenomibookstore Staff Award Committee
Result: 受賞 / Winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Africa Nyorori Trip

2007 essay / travelogue

A travel essay based on fieldwork and on-site experiences, written with humor. Describes biological observations and interactions with people across parts of Africa.

nature observationfieldworkcross-cultural encounters

Una-Don: Nyoro-Trip to the Southern Paradise

2011 essay / travelogue

A travelogue set in southern seas and islands, combining observations of eels and local ecosystems.

eel researchmarine ecologytravel

Nyorori Trip: The Final — Old-timers' Special Unit Rushes to Discover a New Eel Species!

2013 essay / popular science

A humorous account of fieldwork aiming to discover a new eel species, blending scientific background with the hardships of field research.

scientific expeditioneelsfield surveys

Academic Pursuits Are This Interesting!

2014 co-authored / general education

Co-authored with Sota Kimura and others, an introductory book aimed at conveying the appeal of academic study to a broad audience.

academic outreacheducationscience communication

Bibliography

  • Africa Nyorori Trip
  • Una-Don: Nyoro-Trip to the Southern Paradise
  • Nyorori Trip: The Final — Old-timers' Special Unit Rushes to Discover a New Eel Species!
  • Academic Pursuits Are This Interesting!

Style & Themes

Literary Style
humorous and accessible proseexplanatory style that makes scientific facts easy to understand
Recurring Motifs
eelssea and coastsfieldworkcuriosity

Legacy

Has bridged marine biology and popular writing, contributing to public understanding of eel research and coastal ocean science. Involved in regional education activities and support for exhibition facilities.

Museums

  • Ōtsuchi Marine Study Room Ōtsuchi, Iwate, Japan Opened in 2021

Academic Societies

  • The Japanese Society of Agricultural Science

Trivia

  • There is a disambiguation note clarifying he is a different person from 'Aoyama Jun' (青山純) or 'Aoyama Hayato' (青山隼).
  • Served in the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers in Bolivia (Lake Titicaca) providing aquaculture guidance.